Machine for hackling or dressing hemp



(No Model.) '2 Sheets-Sheetl.

T. TBBOW. Machine for Hackling or Dressing Hemp, P1ax and Other Fibrous Substancesf No. 241,091. Patented May 3, 1881.

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N. PETERS. PhMO-Lifihngrulpher. Washington, D. C.

(No Model.) TEBOW, BSheets-Sheet 2.. Machine for Heckling or Dressing Hemp, Flex and Other Fibrous Substances.

No. 241,091.- Pairehted May 3,1881.

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@oooo'ooo N. PETERSv Phnto-Lithagrapher, Washingion. D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT Genres.-

rnnononn TEBOW, or LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY.

MACHINE FOR H ACKLlNG 0R DRESSING HEMP, FLAX, AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 241,091, dated May 3, 1881. Application filed October 21, 1880. (No model.)

I 0 all whom it may concern Be'it known that I, Tnnononn TEBOW, of Lexington, in the county of Fayette and State of Kentucky, a citizen of the United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvenents in Machines for Hackling or Dressing Hemp, Flax, and other Fibrous Substances, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in hemp or flax hackling machines, most particularly that class of machines in which thehack; ling devices operate horizontally through and over a bunch of material, having suitable driving mechanism and feeding devices for gradual operation.

To that end my invention consists, in the first part, of a hackler and its component parts, which are comprised of a suitable frame mounted on rollers, at the forward end of which the hackler is secured, the other end being hinged to a carrier-frame, also mounted on rollers, which reciprocate in guides or ways on the top of the main frame, being driven by any wellknown driving devices, or such as are more fully described hereinafter.

My invention consists, in the second part, in providing, in connection with the hackler and its constituent parts, an operating-table,- which is composed of slats having openings or sufficient spaces between them to permit dust and other small likerefuse matter to pass through into a recess or chamber below, several of the slats being elevated on springs or cushions to hold up the hemp, so that the hackle-teeth may pass clear through it until they approach the said elevated slats, at which time they are depressed by depending arms or levers on the ends of the hackle-bar, which come in contact with cam-blocks located and pivoted in the main frame of the machine, directly above the elevated slats of the table. This slatted table has a length almost in proportion to the stroke of the hackler, the rear end of the stroke being a little beyond the rear end of the table, at which point the ends of the hemp, in dressing, drop over the edge thereof, the tow or shorts resulting from the operation dropping at the end of the stroke into the space at the end of the table, being separated from the dust and waste in the chamber under; neath the table above mentioned by a suitable partition depending from and attached to the end of the table, morefully described hereinafter.

My invention further consists in the provision, in connection with the hackle-frame and carrier, of suitable means for reversing the path of the rollers on which the hackle-frame moves, to provide for the rise and fall of the hackler in its reciprocation, more fully described hereinafter.

My invention further consists in providing a feeding-table, preferably in movable connection with the machine, it being mounted on flanged wheels or rollers running on a track, to facilitate its ready removal longitudinally from operating connection with the machine when the operator desires to make any changes, alterations, or repairs therein, and also-to prevent lateral displacement of the table when in operation of feeding.

My invention further consists in providing the feed-table with suitable devices for deliverin g the material gradually to the machine, these devices being composed of a combination of feeding-rollers and temporary clamping and retaining mechanism, the construction, ar-

ran gement, and operation of which will be more fully hereinafter described.

The object of myinvention is the'production of a machine for hackling hemp or flax which is simple in construction and operation, requiring the employment of no skilled labor to operate it, and the hackling devices are readily removable for the change and use of various sizes of hackles, the result of the operation being superior in all respects to that of any method heretofore employed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal side elevation of a hemp or flax hackling machine embodying my improvements, the hackling devices being shown at the termination of their stroke after passing through the material, and ready for the returnstroke, Fig. 2 is a plan of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the feedtable and feeding mechanism on line 00 at, Fig. 2; and Fig. dis a transverse section, partly in elevation, on line y 3 Fig. 2, but showing the hackling devices at the forward end of their s1 roke in position for operation.

A A represent the main frame of the machine; B, a longitudinally-reciprocating carriage, mounted on rollers 11, which rotate in guides or ways I), constructed as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, in the upper part of the sides of the frame A.

The carriage B has connected therewith a hackle frame or carrier, B,which is hinged to it at its latter end, as shown at I), to allow the forward end of the frame B, at which point the hackle-bar O, studded with teeth d,is secured, to rise and fall at each end of the stroke thereof occasioned by the rotation of the rollers b, on which the frame 13 is mounted at its forward end, in and upon guides and tracks b c. The guides and tracks I) 0 are immediately above the guides 12, thelatter ends oft-he guides I) being inclined upwardly, as shown at c, Fig. I, and the tracks 0 having gravitating arms or downwardly-inclined guides c, hinged at their ends 0, these inclines c and c forming means by which to reverse the path of the rollers 12 on frame 13 in its reciprocation from guides b to tracks 0, thereby producing the rise of the hackler O at the latter end of the stroke, heretofore mentioned, the fall of the same at the forward end of the stroke being produced by means of curved metal guides or guards D, which are secured to the forward ends of guides b, and are curvedjust sufficient to accommodate the rollers b, and to conduct them into the guides 1) without shock or rattle, which would necessarily be occasioned without them if allowed to drop by gravity only.

D D represent springs, which are secured at one end to tracks 0 near the ends 0", the other end passing over and upon pins d on hinged arms 0, and exerting their strength thereon to rapidly return the arms 0 to their places after rollers 11 have passed under them for the return-stroke of the hackler, and to prevent their overturning when in operation. Any other form of spring may be employed; but I prefer to use the fiat plate-spring, as shown, to keep the arms 0 in their places.

The hackler G is adjustably secured to the forward ends of frame B by means of bolts 0, preferably, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, to facilitate the removal thereof for other hacklers having finer or coarser teeth, according to the dress desired by the operator..

On the ends of the hackler 0 depending arms or levers E are secured by bolts 6, their upper ends being angular or flanged, as shown in Fig. 4:, through which flanges bolts 0 pass, the depending portion being a little in the rear of the line of the hackle-teeth d, as shown in Fig. 1, the purpose for which will be more fully hereinafter described.

F represents the drivingshaft, fitted with a fast and loose pulley,ff, and journaling in uprights G G, secured to and resting on the cross-ties A of the frame A.

Power is communicated to the hackler by means of a pitmanand-crank connection, cranks 9 being attached to the ends of shaft F, and pitmen 9 connecting cranks g with the carriage B, where they are secured to the crossties B, preferably by a 11in ge-joint such as is shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

It is obvious that any other means may be employed for driving or operating the hackling devices; but I prefer to use the above-described construction of driving mechanism in connection with my invention herein shown and described.

H represents an operating-table, over which the hackler 0 passes and upon which the material rests when in the process of hackling. This table is composed of a series of slats or bars, h, preferably having suflicient space between them to allow dust and other small refuse matter to pass through into the recess or chamber H, or onto the floor underneath the table, from whence it can be readily removed. Two or more of the slats, I I, are elevated on springs a, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, a little above the plane of the table, which serve to hold the hemp slightly above the rigid slats h, so that the teeth of the hackler will pass clear through it, the slats I I being depressed by means of canrblocks J J, to permit the hackleteeth to pass immediately on their approach, and rising again by the retraction of springs 2 The springs t i are located and operate in slots or openings 2" t" in the sides of the frame A at the ends of slats I I. The cams J J pivot or swing on bolts or shafts j j, which pass through the frame A and an inside partition or guardboard, K, runninglongitudinally parallel with and on each side of the table H, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the cams J being located be tween them and operated by pendent levers or arms E, secured on the ends of hacklerU, heretofore mentioned.

At the rear end of table H a transverse partition, L, is secured, which extends from the table downward to the bottom of the machine or the floor, to separate the dust and refuse matter collecting in the chamber H underthe table from the tow and similar matter resulting from the operation of the hacklers on the hemp.

M represents a feed-table, with side guards, M. The table is supported on a frame, M, the whole being mounted, preferably, on rollers or wheels at m running on tracks m m. The table M is thus mounted to provide forits ready removal from the machine when not in operation, if desired, and also for opening a way by which the operator can get at the forward en d of the machine when changes, alterations, or repairs therein are necessary, and also to obviate lateral oscillation of the table when in operation of feeding to the machine.

The table M is temporarily and adjustably connected with the machine by hooks m on each side, which prevent the table from moving backward away from the machine when in operation.

N represents the upper and N the lower feed-roll, both located in the rear or delivery end of the table M. The lower roller, N,journals in the projecting arms or supports 0 O, which extend the full length of the table M, as shown, and secured thereto by bolts 0 0.

a 01. represent flanges or plates, which are secured to the ends of'the feed-roll N, and serve to prevent the hemp in feeding to the machine from escaping or passing outside of its proper course.

On one or both ends of the spindle or shaft n of roller N a gear-wheel, P, is secured, which connects directly with a pinion, P, of lesser diameter, to secure a gradual feed.

1) represents a hand-crank, which is secured to pinion P by a bolt, 0 ,which also secures it to the frame of the table. Through the agency of hand-crank p and gears P P feed-rolls N N are operated.

The upper roller, N, journals in the ends of swinging levers Q Q, which have a bear-ing on uprights q q, which are secured at their lower ends by bolts q to the side bars, 0 O, as shown. The upper ends of uprights q q are tenoned, the tenons fitting into mortises cut in levers Q Q, and belts or pins q q passed through, on which the levers swing.

The levers Q Q are connected with levers R R by vertical link-levers r 1', which are properly secured at their ends by bolts or pins 9" r, on which they pivot, the levers It B being rigidly secured to the ends of a shaft, S, which extends the full width of the table,'as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2, the ends being a little beyond the sides thereof for the accommodation of levers RR, and having hearings or journaling in uprights s s of the frame M, all as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

On the free or latter ends of lovers RR weight s T T are attached, to exert a down ward pressure on the levers R R, which, in turn, through the link-connections r r, communicate pressure to the levers Q Q, carrying upper feed-roll, N, which is applied thereto, holding it down while the hemp is passing through in feeding to the machine. Handles t t are provided on the levers R It, secured immediately forward of the weights T T, to allow the operator to raise the roller N through the IGVGISRRTTQ Q, above described, in connection with the weights T T, but producing just the reverse action, so as to facilitate the introduction of the hemp between the rollers N N in the beginning of the feed and removing it after dressing.

I prefer to attach the weights T T adjustably to the ends oflevers R It by means of hooks, as shown, so that they can be 1 eadily removed when the operator desires to raise the levers and upper t'eedroll.

In connection with the feed-rolls N N and their power and lever accessories, I prefer to provide a elampin g or temporary retaining device, U, which extends across the inner width of the table M, and is composed of a base-block, U, with ribs to a a and grooves aa on its upper face, running its full length, and an upper block, U, 011 the bottom face of which ribs to a and groove u are constructed, which match with the ribs a and grooves a of the base-block U, and between which the middle of the bunch of hemp is held while in the operation of feeding, these two sections U U of the clamping device being clamped or held together by bolts and handled nuts VV. This device is allowed to slide along the table with the hemp when the rollers N N are in motion, butis held taut by weights \V WV, which are connected therewith by ropes W W, adjustably secured to the lower base-block, U, by hooks to and eyes 10, the ropes passing along the table horizontally and under pulleys w on the uprights or posts X, and upwardly over pulleys 'w on the projecting arms X,the weightsWbeing attached to the ends thereof, all as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

The uprights X are secured at their lower ends to the forward end of the base of the frame M of the feed-table by bolts 00 m, the projecting arms X being secured at their top ends in a like manner. These straining devices are located on both sides of the feed-table, as shown in Fig. 2, to allow the operator to stand between them when placing the material in position for operation, and to produce a uniform strain on the hemp when feeding.

Operation: The hemp is first spread as uniformly as possible over the feeding-table M, and the middle of the length thereof, or there.v about, clamped between the clamping devices U, the hooks to of the weighted straining-ropes W W being connected with the clamp and the upper feed-roll, N, raised sufficient to receive the forward ends of the hemp when it is lowered by the pressure of weights T T upon the levers Q Q It R r r, and the handle 1) of pin ion 1 turned, which rotates the gear I, and it, in turn, the feed-rolls N N, delivering the hemp into the machine. The hackling devices of the machine being now put into motion and the hemp fed up to the stroke of the hackler, it passes through and over it in its reciprocation, cleaning it of tow, shorts, and refuse matter, and cutting or separating the fibers thereof to the fineness desired. When one end of the hunch is dressed the feed-roll N is raised by raising the levers R by handles it, the weights W ofthe straining devices at the same time dropping and drawing the clamping device, with the hemp in it, backward to a convenient position for handling by the operator, where the undressed portion of the hemp is released by removing the upper block, U, of the clamp and the hackled portion confined therein, when it is fed into the machine and operated upon in a like manner as above described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a hemp or flax hackling machine, the combination, with a main supporting-frame provided with suitable guides or ways, of a longitudinally-reciprocating carriage carrying a hinged oscillating fraine,upon which is mounted a hackle-bar studded with teeth and moving on rollers which travel in said guides or ways, substantially asherein set forth.

2. The guides or ways If 0, provided with curved guards or guides D, for receiving and conducting the'rollers b on the hackle-frame B at the termination of its return-stroke, arranged and operating in the manner substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In ahackling-machine, theoperating-table H, composed of slats h h, elevated or raised slats I I, springs 1'. 1 and cams J J, operated by pendent levers E on hackle-frame B, the Whole arranged and operating in relation to the hackling devices substantially as herein shown and described.

4. In a hackling-machine, an open-slatted operating-table H, h h I I, in combination with a partition, L, and chamber H, arranged and constructed substantially as herein shown, and for the purpose specified.

5. In combination with the hackling derices B B G d, the driving mechanism for operating the same, composed of driving-shaft F, provided with suitable driving-pulleys ff, pitmen 9 g, and cranks g 9, connected, constructed, and arranged substantially in the manner herein set forth.

6. An independent feed-table, M, mounted preferably on wheels or rollers m running on tracks m, and adapted to be connected to and operated in connection with a hemp-hackling machine, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

7. The feed-table M, provided with feed-roll N, having flanged ends a n and driving-gear P Pp, feed-roll N, and weighted levers Q R 'l r, constructed, combined, and operating substantially as and for the purpose described.

8. In a feed-tablefor ahackling-machine, the combination, with the feed-rolls N N n n, driving mechanism P I p, and operating-levers Q It 1' T, the clamping device U and straining mechanism V W, connected and operating in the manner substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. The clamping device U, composed of base U, having ribs and grooves an, top pressureblock U, having ribs and grooy'es uu', and hand clamping-bolts V V, all arranged and operating, in combination with the straining mechanism W '20 w w 40', substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 6th day of September, 1880.

- THEODORE TEBOW.

Witnesses:

THOMAS SMITH, EDMUND J. HARDEN. 

